Medicare and Medicaid Fraud
Medicare and Medicaid Fraud Attorney
Protecting Florida’s Healthcare Consumers
Medicare and Medicaid fraud affects everyone. While there is no exact figure on the total amount of dollars lost to Medicare and Medicaid fraud, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) report that fraud and abuse involving government-sponsored healthcare programs are serious problems that cost the government billions of dollars. The Medicare and Medicaid programs are funded and paid for by the government, which means that taxpayers ultimately foot the bill for these unethical and illegal schemes. Moreover, Medicare and Medicaid fraud and abuse result in more than just financial harm; it puts the health and welfare of the program’s beneficiaries at serious risk.
If you suspect that a health care provider or facility has been abusing the system by submitting false Medicare or Medicaid claims or engaging in any other fraudulent activities, you can take action to help stop these crimes. Depending on your specific situation, you may be able to file a qui tam lawsuit under the False Claims Act. In a qui tam action, you are suing the wrongdoer on behalf of the government. A Florida Medicaid fraud lawyer at our firm will explain how the process works and discuss the potential monetary incentives and protections from retaliation provided for in a qui tam suit. Our Florida Medicare and Medicaid fraud attorneys will also explore other types of legal action that may be appropriate for your situation.
Common Types of Medicare and Medicaid Fraud Schemes
Individuals and companies who commit Medicare and Medicaid fraud are stealing money from the government. While there are a whole host of fraudulent and abusive practices occurring in the healthcare sector, some of the most common forms of Medicare and Medicaid fraud involve:
- Billing government-sponsored programs for procedures that are medically unnecessary
- Billing government-sponsored programs for procedures that were never performed
- Billing government-sponsored programs for services that are more expensive and complex than the services actually provided (“upcoding”)
- Making illegal referrals for certain designated health services
- Knowingly soliciting, receiving, offering and/or paying money to induce or reward referrals for services or products
- Paying for referrals of program beneficiaries
It is important to recognize that Medicare and Medicaid fraud schemes can range in size from small ventures perpetrated by a single provider to large-scale operations involving multiple facilities or institutions. Regardless of the size of the scheme or the exact manner of the fraud, medical providers and other players in the healthcare industry that defraud the government are engaging in a crime.
Suspect a Provider of Medicare or Medicaid Fraud? Discuss Your Case With a Florida Medicare Fraud Lawyer
Medicare and Medicaid fraud cases can involve highly sophisticated and hidden schemes designed to cheat the government out of substantial sums of money. If you suspect that a health care provider or institution has engaged in fraud involving the Medicare or Medicaid system, you can take legal action to help stop these unethical and illegal activities. At The Florida Law Group, a Medicare and Medicaid fraud attorney will help you investigate the situation and evaluate the legal options that may be available to you. These options may include bringing a medical qui tam action against the wrongdoers or filing a medical malpractice claim if you were injured as a result of the fraud. Call us today at 833-260-0943 or complete our online form to schedule your free case evaluation with a Florida Medicaid fraud attorney.
